TF1 to launch French version of MasterChef

TF1 has commissioned Shine France to produce a local version of hit British cooking format MasterChef.

This marks the first major commission for the French subsidiary of Shine, which is run by former Endemol France chief creative officer Thierry Lachkar.

It also follows the commission of the cooking competition in the US by the Fox network, which is launching the series next year fronted by Gordon Ramsey.

The French commercial broadcaster will launch the series, which takes amateur chefs and pits them against each other,  in 2010 and it is expected to air in primetime.

The format was originally devised by Quadrophenia director Franc Roddam and has been produced by Elisabeth Murdoch’s Shine since 2005.